From the rebellion against the British in 1857 to its present status, India has progressed a long way in a short time. And yet India’s extremes persist, argues Maria Misra, because its politics rest upon a peculiar foundation in which traditional ideas of hierarchy, difference, and privilege coexist with modern notions of equality and democracy. In this history, Misra suggests that the challenge of India’s 21st-century leaders is to weave together the disparate threads of the nation’s ancient culture, colonial legacy, and modern experience.

"An enlightening and witty portrait of a lively democracy, peopled with fascinating characters. There could be no better introduction for anyone wishing to find out about modern India."—Septimus Waugh